AK Rundown: June 9th and 10th, 2007
“Aviation”
Host: Rebecca Sheir
Intro/News/Credits
Float Planes. To reach many destinations in southeast Alaska, it takes a float plane. Scott Burton spoke with Alaska Sea Planes owner Craig Loken, and tagged along with one-of-a-kind float plane pilot Bill Cowenbrenner. Pkg. 6:00 (7:02 with intro)
Button: “Come Josephine In My Flying Machine” performed by Spike Jones from (Not) Your Standard Spike Jones Collection
Fuel Taxes. A new Federal Aviation Administration funding proposal would more than triple fuel taxes for small aircraft. Alaska has more pilots per capita than any state, and Weld Royal speaks with some who worry the costs will threaten their way of life: Ed Kiesel of Ward Air and Juneau airport manager (and Cessna owner) Dave Palmer. Pkg. 3:45 (4:10 with intro)
Break #1: “Classical Gas” performed by Chris Foster from Cayo Hueso
Going Up in History. Did you know that Fairbanks’ Pan AM Airlines hangar is now a bowling alley? Or that the high school Vo-Tech center is named after mechanic James Hutchison? Aviation plays a huge role in Fairbanks’ history. Theresa Bakker visits Weeks Field and the Noel Wein Library, and speaks with Greg Hill, Randy Acord and Dermot Cole, to learn more. Pkg. 4:48 (5:20 with intro)
Build a Plane. Build a Plane is a national non-profit organization dedicated to interesting kids in aviation by donating plane-building kits to schools worldwide. Students in Hooper Bay will get their first crack at one this summer. AK’s Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock speaks with Aviation and Emergency Medical Tech teacher Grant Funk and UAF aviation maintenance program professor Arvid Wefflon. Pkg. 5:35 (6:04 with intro)
Button: “Believe it or Not (Theme from The Greatest American Hero)” by Mike Post and Stephen Geyer from All-Time Top 100 TV Themes
The Man, The Myth, The Mystery. Aviator Russel Merrill flew his Trans Air bi-wing into history when he headed across Cook Inlet bound for Bethel in September 1929. Though Merrill and his plane were never again seen, AK’s Ellen Lockyer tells of the indelible mark the young pilot left during his short years of service. Pkg. 4:11 (4:33 with intro)
Calendar of Events. AK’s weekly look at upcoming events around the state. (Song: “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise” performed by Eddie Condon Dixieland All-Stars from The Ultimate Jazz Archive 7: Eddie Condon Dixieland All-stars, Vol. 3)
Break #2: “Survivor (Karaoke Rehearsal Version)” from Karaoke - Sing Like Destiny's Child Vol. 2
Learn to Return. Brian Horner runs Learn to Return, Alaska’s only survival skills training school. AK host Rebecca Sheir sits in on one of his classes and learns the tricks of the survival trade. Pkg. 5:52
300 Villages. Yakutat and Wrangell.
Paragliding. On a clear summer day, the skies over Girdwood or Hatcher's Pass are often dotted with paragliders. David Waldron tagged along with Pete Gautreau and Scott Amy of Alaska Paragliding for a lesson on how to go with the wind. Pkg. 4:05 (4:19 with intro)
Go Fly a Kite. Not everyone wants to learn to paraglide... some of us have simpler goals. For Tony Bickert, it was flying a kite. Commentary. 3:20 (3:30 with intro)
Close: “I’ve Got the World on a String” performed by Stephane Grappelli from The Collection